Ezekiel 5:17 (KJV)

What does Ezekiel 5:17 mean?

Ezekiel 5:17 describes how God will send severe punishments—famine, wild animals, disease, bloodshed, and war—against Jerusalem as a consequence of the people's actions. The verse ends with a solemn declaration that these judgments come directly from the LORD.

In this verse, God is speaking through the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Jerusalem, warning them about the coming disasters because they have broken their covenant with Him. The verse lists specific calamities that will strike the city, showing the seriousness of the judgment and making it clear that these events are not random but are the result of God's decision.

The Hebrew behind Ezekiel 5:17

• "Send" (שָׁלַח, shalach): This word often means to actively dispatch or release something. Here, it emphasizes that the disasters are not accidental but are being purposefully sent by God.
• "Bereave" (שָׁכַל, shakal): This word means to cause loss, especially of children or loved ones. Its use highlights the deep personal and communal pain that these judgments will bring.
• "Pestilence" (דֶּבֶר, dever): This refers specifically to deadly disease or plague, underlining that the suffering will include not just violence but also sickness.
• "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): The use of God’s personal name at the end of the verse stresses that these words and actions come from the covenant God of Israel, making the warning even more weighty.

Why Ezekiel 5:17 matters

• This verse clarifies that the disasters facing Jerusalem are not random misfortunes but are directly connected to the people's unfaithfulness to God.
• The detailed listing of different types of judgment (famine, beasts, disease, bloodshed, sword) shows the totality and seriousness of the coming punishment, emphasizing that no part of life will be untouched.
• Ezekiel 5:17 connects to the wider passage by concluding a section where God explains the reasons for Jerusalem’s coming destruction, reinforcing the message that God’s warnings are clear and deliberate.